Useful Tips For A Successful Wild Pheasant Hunting Trip
A wild pheasant hunting excursion can be both an enjoyable and challenging experience for those involved. In order for any trip to be a successful one, the hunter needs to first perfect his skills and be aware of the many factors which play a role in determining its outcome such as the weather, time of day, terrain, and if dogs are used for assistance.
Even before the season starts the huntsman can prepare by first making sure he has all the necessary apparel which includes some comfortable boots with good ankle support, brush pants, a fluorescent orange cap and jacket for maximum visibility, and a game pouch. He can also scout out potentially promising hunting grounds and inquiring about permission to hunt there when the season opens.
In order to successfully locate suitable places to hunt, it's advisable to scout them out in the evening, since this is the normal feeding time for the birds and they will be easier to spot. Good places to look include areas where corn is grown, since pheasants love to eat this, and near any water source, either natural or constructed by humans.
Many hunters prefer hunting at the start of the season as opposed to later because the birds are still young and not yet wary to the fact that they are being hunted. It is easier to find birds, but these numbers will also drop off quite fast on the other hand. Shooting at this time is mostly close-range and is best done using an improved-cylinder or modified choke, high brass shotgun, and the shot should be a size 6 or 7.5.
Late season is preferred by other hunters as they can avoid overcrowded grounds and hunt those birds which have sought refuge in the more dense, overgrown areas such as marshes and grassy ditches. This type of terrain is trickier to hunt in, but can be a great source of pheasants. It is also important to be very quiet, as they have a strong sense of hearing. At this time, most shooting will be long-range and is best done with a high brass, modified, full-choke shotgun and a shot which is size 4, 5, or 6.
Dogs can make any hunt a more profitable one. Labrador Retriever are highly skilled at both flushing out birds and finding them once they are hit. Pointers are also a good choice, as they have superior bird locating abilities when hunting in dense areas.
Hunting early in the morning or in the evening in natural settings are most effective. Hunt clubs offer huntsmen the opportunity to hunt in a controlled environment where the facility provides the birds and releases them onto the grounds several times each day with various levels of difficulty to choose from. There is also an advantage to colder weather, it is not only more favorable for tracking the birds on the ground, but it also allows the dogs to detect them more readily.
Practicing some time before the commencement of the wild pheasant hunting season at a local hunt club is recommended for any dedicated hunter. Perfecting one's shot on a shooting range or using clay pigeons and also working with one's dog are good ways to make sure the huntsman has his skills up to par when the season begins.
Even before the season starts the huntsman can prepare by first making sure he has all the necessary apparel which includes some comfortable boots with good ankle support, brush pants, a fluorescent orange cap and jacket for maximum visibility, and a game pouch. He can also scout out potentially promising hunting grounds and inquiring about permission to hunt there when the season opens.
In order to successfully locate suitable places to hunt, it's advisable to scout them out in the evening, since this is the normal feeding time for the birds and they will be easier to spot. Good places to look include areas where corn is grown, since pheasants love to eat this, and near any water source, either natural or constructed by humans.
Many hunters prefer hunting at the start of the season as opposed to later because the birds are still young and not yet wary to the fact that they are being hunted. It is easier to find birds, but these numbers will also drop off quite fast on the other hand. Shooting at this time is mostly close-range and is best done using an improved-cylinder or modified choke, high brass shotgun, and the shot should be a size 6 or 7.5.
Late season is preferred by other hunters as they can avoid overcrowded grounds and hunt those birds which have sought refuge in the more dense, overgrown areas such as marshes and grassy ditches. This type of terrain is trickier to hunt in, but can be a great source of pheasants. It is also important to be very quiet, as they have a strong sense of hearing. At this time, most shooting will be long-range and is best done with a high brass, modified, full-choke shotgun and a shot which is size 4, 5, or 6.
Dogs can make any hunt a more profitable one. Labrador Retriever are highly skilled at both flushing out birds and finding them once they are hit. Pointers are also a good choice, as they have superior bird locating abilities when hunting in dense areas.
Hunting early in the morning or in the evening in natural settings are most effective. Hunt clubs offer huntsmen the opportunity to hunt in a controlled environment where the facility provides the birds and releases them onto the grounds several times each day with various levels of difficulty to choose from. There is also an advantage to colder weather, it is not only more favorable for tracking the birds on the ground, but it also allows the dogs to detect them more readily.
Practicing some time before the commencement of the wild pheasant hunting season at a local hunt club is recommended for any dedicated hunter. Perfecting one's shot on a shooting range or using clay pigeons and also working with one's dog are good ways to make sure the huntsman has his skills up to par when the season begins.
Source...